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8.27.2011

The new injury of Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin, grade II sprain of lateral ligament in his left knee in the distal third, can leave him off the pitch three to four weeks more. The misfortune accompanies Sahin in his first steps as Real Madrid player. In July, after the North American leg of the summer preseason, suffered a concussion in training that left him with a knee sprain grade I. Now when he was on the verge of his debut with Real Madrid, has re-injured.

Sahin, who has not played a game since April 15 when he went down injured with Borussia Dortmund against Freiburg in his right knee, continues his ordeal. He trained with his new teammates two days in the sports City of Valdebebas in the previous days of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy where was planned by Jose Mourinho his debut in the final minutes, but again has suffered a sprain in the same area of his left knee.

Mourinho (resigned) confirmed it at news conference: "The Sahin's injury is not a relapse. This injury is different", he unveiled. "Sahin is not to play, so I will not be much more specific. I leave it to the medical department. I did not expect him to play in Zaragoza, so for me is not important", he said.

The month off that Sahin must take up anew, is a setback for Mourinho, that could not call Sami Khedira by muscle problems for the Zaragoza match and has ruled Esteban Granero by technical decision. So Fabio Coentrao holds the midfield starter position alongside Xabi Alonso and now the coach do not see as a problem that the club do not sell Lass Diarra.

8.26.2011

The television broadcast of the Zaragoza-Real Madrid match is close to suspension because the administration of the Zaragoza Club (judicial administration) has decided to bar the way to Mediapro (company responsible for distributing the images) to the La Romareda Stadium, because this audiovisual company has a debt to the home team.

The match is scheduled to be broadcasted at 8:00 pm (local time) on Sunday, but Zaragoza has a court order dictated last June 22 authorizing the club to take the needed actions of pressure to collect debts. In the coming hours will be known if if the Zaragoza continues its actions or if instead reaches an agreement with Mediapro and the Zaragoza-Real Madrid can be broadcasted.

The road in search of the Tenth European Cup is no stranger to Real Madrid, which will face to face with old 'friends' that already knows with the eyes closed. Lyon, always Lyon will be the greatest threat to Whites in a group stage that must pass without problems. Real Madrid will repeat duels against Ajax, with which already met last year, and will debut against Dinamo Zagreb, the only Croatian set this in the top continental tournament.

UEFA Champions League 2011-2012: Group D

Lyon is no longer a ghost

Bad memories that the French brought to Real Madrid were forgotten. Last season, Mourinho killed two birds with one stone. Ended its curse in the last-16 round and also the ghosts of the Lyon team that had ruined the lives of whites in more than one occasion. Little or nothing has changed the French team in the field since that day, but yes on the bench, now owned by Remi Garde. Toulalan is not, but the military force maintains its essence. The driver is the intermittent Gourcuff and the shooters are Gomis, Lisandro and Bastos, using the long distance machine gun. Still offers doubts its rear, with the goal defended by Lloris, a cat. Benzema and Real Madrid will return to Lyon, where never before in history has won the white team.

Ajax continues to reinvent itself

Ajax, another year, will be rival of Real Madrid in the group stage of the Champions League. The arrival of Frank de Boer to the bench after the elimination of the continental showpiece, was a breath of fresh air for the Dutch, accustomed to reinvent itself due to obligations of the script. The Dutch team no longer misses Luis Suarez. Ajax thinks in future, in long-term with Van der Wiel, Alderweired, Eriksen, Sulejmani and Janssen, a killer from the Twente. The Amsterdam Arena will be where the Real Madrid will finish the group stage.

Sammir's Dinamo

Nobody takes seriously the Croatians, but the Balkan team has its hidden weapons. Has reached this stage after knocking Swedish Malmoe on the previous round. Sammir, cheeky Brazilian footballer is the greatest threat of a Dinamo that already shown last year against Villarreal in the Europa League that can break pools. Dinamo Zagreb will check what it feels like to play against Madrid, which has never done and will do in its debut. In Zagreb begins the road of Mourinho's team. The aim is Munich.

8.25.2011

The Santiago Bernabeu Trophy served Real Madrid to accumulate minutes before the start of the season, to Real Madrid fans to confirm their faith in the coach Mourinho, and to the Portuguese coach for both things: preparing the start of the competition and strengthen his position in the club. The white team left the tournament at home after the Galatasaray's early goal and the continued cheering to its coach.

Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas with the Bernabeu Trophy 2011

The white fans expected on Wednesday to see live Sahin and Varane, but in the case of the first, will have to wait few more weeks. The Turk was left out of the squad because someone did not see him fully recovered. And despite his absence, the former Borussia player was strengthened at the Bernabeu. Without him, they all want alongside Xabi Alonso.

With Khedira in the stands with health problems, Coentrao was the companion of Xabi in the midfield. The same that all people saw in the Camp Nou. The Portuguese can be two hours running from one place to another without stopping, but not giving sense to the Real Madrid actions. At least not for his peers, happier when the ball comes from Xabi.

The fans had not hung their last banner in support of Mourinho when Galatasaray went ahead on the scoreboard. After the ball stroll through the area of Adam, Eboue broke Sergio Ramos' waist and served the first goal of the game to Inan. In ten minutes, the Turks had already demonstrated in Madrid all their virtues.

The locals gradually had more chances to score. Goalkeeper Muslera cleared a shot following a good combination between Xabi Alonso and Di Maria (16'), and the defence later cleared a shot by Kaka (19'). Sergio Ramos scored the equaliser from a header following a cross by Alonso on the 33-minute mark.

This marked a turning point in the match, which the Whites started to control. Higuain came close to netting his team's second goal, but Muslera again saved the day for Galatasaray (41'). At the end of the first half, the crowd gave Real Madrid a standing ovation.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Carvalho, Ozil, Benzema and Albiol came on for Callejon, Pepe, Higuain, Varane and Kaka after half-time. Benzema scored on the 49-minute mark, but the referee disallowed the goal due to a non-existent offside. No matter: one minute later, the Frenchman easily defeated Muslera in a one-on-one and gave his side the victory goal. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored the third in the 64th minute with a shot outside the box, but the goalkeeper strained himself to clear his shot. Jose Mourinho then decided to bring on youth teamer Alex Fernandez for an exhausted Di Maria (66').

Coentrao nearly sealed the game, but his shot went straight down the middle into the keeper's hands. The locals had more chances on goal, but converted none of their shots. Academy player Morata received a standing ovation when he substituted Coentrao on the 76-minute mark. Sadly, Marcelo was forced to leave the pitch due to twisting his ankle a few minutes later and had to be replaced by youth player Mendes. Mourinho gave two other academy players, Nacho and Mandi, a chance to play with the first team before the end of the match.

The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) has called off the strike scheduled for the second date of the season after reaching an agreement with representatives of clubs (LFP). After two weeks of negotiation, the championship will develop normally after the matches of the first date were suspended in the past weekend.

LFP and AFE have reached an agreement so the Spanish League can begin. The parties have agreed to extend the dialogue the time needed to develop what they have signed. The parties have described the pact as "very satisfactory". They have also urged the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to participate in improving the bankruptcy law and the development of future audiovisual law.

The first day of the season, affected by the strike, becomes the last of the first round and will be held on 21-22 January. The first date of the second round will be played on May 2 and will be the penultimate of the season.

8.24.2011

The 33rd edition of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy will pit Real Madrid against Galatasaray today Wednesday 24 August. If Real Madrid wins against the Turkish team, will match its best streak with success. Real Madrid wins the trophy summer in a row since 2005. That summer, defeated a Major League Soccer team by 5-0. Since then, five more victories in 2006 against Anderlecht (2-1), in 2007 in front of Partizan (2-0), Sporting Portugal (5-3) in 2008, Rosenborg (4-0) in 2009 and against Peñarol last year (2-0). Defeating Galatasaray, Real will reach the record achieved between 1994 and 2000, when linked wins against Palmeiras, Ajax, Benfica, Portuguesa, Peñarol, Milan and Santos.

Real Madrid decided to honour the memory of Santiago Bernabeu by the creation of a tournament with his name the year after his death. Ajax, AC Milan and Bayern Munich accepted the club's invitation in the Trophy's first edition and have accepted it other times since. The long and illustrious list of former participants also includes teams like Hamburg, Liverpool, Everton, Inter Milan and Benfica. South American football has also been represented in the tournament by Santos, Palmeiras, River Plate, and a side comprising MLS stars. Galatasaray will be the first Turkish side to participate.

Varane is the main new in the Jose Mourinho's starting line up for tonight. The French center defender will partner with Pepe. Interestingly, the Portuguese and Varane have been those who have shared less minutes in the center of the defense during the preseason. They played together only 12 minutes, the last of the game against Leicester. Although in the preseason played more minutes together, because Pepe played a few matches as midfielder and Varane as right side defender.

Sahin will be another new face to be seen today on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Madrid fans will enjoy the first minutes of Turkish midfielder with Real Madrid shirt. The Ottoman International completed yesterday the training with the rest of the group for a second day and will not have problems to play the final minutes of the match against Galatasaray.

On the other hand, Mourinho wants to keep Higuain focused in work hard and today will be starter against Galatasaray. The Argentina striker joined the preseason in the game against Leicester after the Copa America after enjoy two weeks of vacation, and has suffered the emergence of Benzema as a cyclone in the summer. French was the top scorer in the preparation white with nine goals, which moved 'Pipita' to the position of second striker.

From announcement to another. After the decision of the Competition Judge in the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) opening an investigation after what happened in the second leg of the Super Cup of Spain, in a statement issued on its website, the Real Madrid reports provocation, insults and attacks in Barcelona.

"Real Madrid CF wishes to say the following regarding the decision of the competition judge of the Spanish Football Federation to open an investigation following the incidents occurred in the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup:

Real Madrid CF has from the beginning opted to show prudence and responsibility so as not to feed the tense atmosphere created by such events.

Real Madrid CF wishes to express how surprised it is to see this investigation is being ordered five days after the match, curiously just a few hours after the President of FC Barcelona publicly demanded the Spanish Football Federation to take action.

Real Madrid CF wishes said investigation absolutely clarifies what happened during and after the match. The club wishes it throws light onto the provocations, humilations, insults and aggressions that our first team squad and coaching staff were subjected to both on the pitch and inside the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms. These things regrettably gave way to the incidents that took place.

Real Madrid CF will continue to defend this entity's inherent values and will always strive for the greatest collaboration possible between clubs and institutions throughout the world"

Jose Mourinho wanted to step out of the information that emerged in recent hours about his possible departure from Real Madrid and, through an open letter published on the website of the white club, has wanted to deny categorically that is not well within the white team: There is no way I'm leaving. No way!

Mourinho's picture at Real Madrid website

The text appearing in the website is as follows:

"Only those who don't know me can dream, make up or believe I may leave Real Madrid at this stage...

I believe many people were surprised by the quality football showcased by Real Madrid during the preseason and it would be surprising news to them if I left the club now. Impossible!

I have a fantastic President who is very intelligent and with whom I have a great friendship. I also have a Director General who works for the club 24 hours a day, so my motivation is enormous and my Madridismo is even greater than that of some pseudo-Madridistas... There is no way I'm leaving. No way!

I also wish to apologise to Madridistas, and only to them, for my attitude in our last game. Some people are better adapted to the hypocrisy in football than I am, and they hide their faces and speak in whispers deep inside tunnels.

I'm not learning to be a hypocrite, and I don't want to.

Best wishes to all. We'll see each other tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

8.23.2011

Guangzhou, China, August 4, 2011. Approximately 9:45 pm local time. Jose Mourinho, sweaty and satisfied, appears before an international legion of journalists, with an absolute majority of Chinese. His Real Madrid has just scored seven goals against the first rival of the tour. He evaluates the improvement of his players, score capacity, speed... but leaves a great headline: "We have a squad short... by choice".

The sentence as so many of Mourinho is distorted, cut and gets on your nerves to the point that in his next public appearance, the coach repeats the phrase in English with a sarcasm: "I am going to explain in English better...". Portuguese coach insists that the squad is short because he asked it, but there is a trick around. He knows that the template -20 or 21 field players- will have a new member in January: Neymar.

Mourinho knew then and knows now. Neymar will play for Real Madrid after the World Club Cup. In his book, when he comes to planning for the season, he looks for a balance of two players per position and the name of the Santos' star appears noted in red. The funny thing is that the coach does not point him in the strikers payroll along with Benzema and Higuain but in that of midfielders. "Neymar is no striker, is a player to play behind the '9' in any of the three midfield positions", Mourinho told to his assistants at Real Madrid when he was informed the deal was closed with the player.

According to Mourinho, Neymar can play any of the three midfield positions in his usual 4-2-3-1 scheme. At first, the Brazilian would dispute a place in the right wing with Di Maria, but could play as playmaker in Özil's central position and even occupy the left side owned by the untouchable Cristiano Ronaldo.

In the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, Real Madrid fans will see two exciting pieces of this new Real Madrid 2011-12; Varane and Sahin. And tomorrow will be able to witness in action the French central defender against Turkish Galatasaray. The young defender, who has arrived from Lens in exchange for 10 million despite playing just 23 games in Ligue 1, played an important role in preseason (418 minutes), but did not participate in the Spanish Super Cup. Mourinho called him only for the first leg at the Bernabeu (leaving Albiol at the stands), but left him on the bench and did not play a minute.

It is expected that tomorrow, Raphael Varane will play, in the starting line up, the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy and the fans are curious to see how moves the young signing (18 years) that comes with a guarantee like Zidane, who recommended his hiring: "He has a great future. Players with his temper, that reminds me Blanc, I saw very few".

Raphael Varane. Real Madrid USA Tour 2011

Mourinho also stamped his mark on the recruitment and has shown it in preseason. Varane was the third player who played more, with 418 minutes, just behind Benzema (436') and Coentrao (422'). In the central defenders payroll, was the most used: Pepe played 351', Carvalho played 348' and Albiol, his direct competitor as the third central, played 331'.

Who could not walk on the green in the preseason was Sahin. He would play the first minutes for Real Madrid tomorrow. The Turkish has 51 days under the command of Mourinho, but a lateral ligament sprained in his left knee keeps him out despite the comeback was scheduled in the China Tour. Yesterday, he rejoined the group in Valdebebas Sports City and if tomorrow he has green light, would play a few minutes to start his history in the white club. It is expected that he can play against Zaragoza if the next League day takes place.

8.22.2011

Real Madrid will change its policy on the signing of Neymar. The white institution wants to save the climate of tension which has surrounded the negotiations for Santos' star and will step aside. At the moment, has interrupted the dialogue with the Sao Paulo club until next December 2nd, Election Day for president of Santos.

At the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is understood that the preliminary agreement with Neymar is enough to dress him with the Real Madrid jersey. Therefore, the board of the club has adopted a strategy of restraint with Santos not to interfere in its electoral process. First, because if is not re-elected the current president, Luis Alvaro de Oliveira, the operation would take a new partner with whom to negotiate. Second, if the president renews his mandate, is expected he softens his speech once saved his image before the fans.

Santo's president has put pressure on the last month. Since the Council of the Sao Paulo club rejected two offers from Real Madrid on August 1st, went on the attack. He threatened to report Real Madrid to FIFA by Article 17 and had an aggressive discourse ("Neymar will continue in Santos until age 80") and provocateur ("The Spanish believe that are still in the Treaty of Tordesillas...").

In both cases, with Luis Alvaro de Oliveira or another, Real Madrid hopes to revive the dialogue in December to close the signing either January or July 2012. Neymar will decide in early September.

Real Madrid has wanted the Pope Benedict XVI had a memory of the club and has given him a white shirt with his name that has been signed by all players in the squad. White club gave it yesterday afternoon at the Nunciature in Madrid. Pope Benedict XVI has been four days in Madrid for the World Youth Days that were closed yesterday in the capital of Spain.

Iker Casillas had a pleasant surprise before the work session on Sunday. Pilar Galdiano, widow of the legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora, handed the captain of Real Madrid, a painting signed by former player which portrays his characteristic saves. "I feel very proud. It is an honor to receive this box. The Zamora family can rest easy because I will maintain with love and will occupy a special place in my house. It is a pleasure and an honor. You are very considerate to me", said Casillas thankful during delivery.

Ricardo Zamora Martínez joined the Real Madrid in 1930 and was known as 'Divine'. The goalkeeper was one of the best Spanish players in history thanks to his good position covering the net, his great security and reflexes in all his actions and personality. Moreover, he was easily recognized by his dress, wearing dark clothing and a cap in every game. Daily Marca, in recognition of her figure, established the award that bears his name to the goalkeeping record of the season in the Spanish League.

"My husband was the best in the world and Casillas is now. To me there is no other keeper like him. You are my favorite and I give you this picture with all the enthusiasm in the world. I cannot imagine a better place to stay that your hands", said Pilar giving the picture to Casillas.

8.21.2011

Kaka faces his third season at Real Madrid in a much more uncertain situation than the previous two. In the first, he was a luxury signing that did not work, and in the second a player injured. Now, it seems he is not an importante player for Jose Mourinho, as was seen in the Spanish Super Cup.

Kaka's future is a mystery

Kaka's future remains shrouded in mystery. It is difficult to understand how a player of 65 million euros, Golden Ball in 2007, has hardly left some loose details in two seasons. Also is difficult to explain the series of circumstances that forced him to undergo surgery after the World Cup in South Africa. Perhaps the simplest is to take over his current situation; After almost two seasons without playing a good standard, has been overcome through the ranks of the team not only by Mesut Özil, but even by newcomers Coentrao and Callejon.

If Mourinho faced the Spanish Super Cup as a test for the season, the outlook is grim for Ricardo Kaka. In the first leg he did not play a minute and in the second the last 13 minutes, the final, with Real Madrid playing desperately. He left no trace in the Camp Nou. As in the rest of the preseason, except for a few good minutes in the game against the LA Galaxy, the first friendly. After that, did not shine nor in the U.S. nor in Europe nor in China. Too little for a player who spent his vacations denying his departure from the club and summoning the Real Madrid fans to his first 'usual' preseason after years of misfortune.

By now, the future of Kaka is the main sports mystery of the Real Madrid. The Brazilian has four seasons in the contract with 10 million euros per year. A salary that does not correspond with his performance and also stifles any possibility of transfer.

But a loan is possible. Wenger is pondering asking the Arsenal managing the loan of Real Madrid midfielder. The London club believes that Kaka is the only name that can ease the discontent of the fans following the departure of Cesc. A swollen that has started timidly to ask for dismissal of Wenger. To pay 10 million euros to the Brazilian would break the wage structure imposed by Wenger, but according the exceptional circumstances surrounding the club...

Although Mourinho is delighted with his staff, the MourTeam II, still lacks a signing: Nuri Sahin. The Turkish midfielder, arrived this summer from Borussia Dortmund with the credentials of having been voted player of the Bundesliga in the last season, is the missing piece to Real Madrid to fit the entire Mourinho's puzzle.

Sahin will debut with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu Trophy

Sahin, who could debut dressed in white next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy, will have gallons of starter since day one. Mourinho knows he will be a key in his game plan, to the point that the Portuguese coach is willing to vary his usual system 4-3-3 for a 4-2-3-1 system in lot of matches, similar to the Barcelona's, to allow coexistence in midfield from Xabi Alonso, Khedira and Sahin.

In addition, Mourinho is convinced that in most games at the Bernabeu Stadium, Sahin and Xabi can seamlessly integrate the midfield pair, because almost all rivals come to the Real Madrid stadium to defend a tie and his team needs more speed and imagination, with less muscle the middle line.

It is precisely, the displacement speed of the ball, the Sahin's feature that Mourinho likes more. The coach is confident that the Turkish international will become a top player at European level in a few months. Hence, in the preseason, Mourinho has insisted on the importance of Sahin in the workforce and did not want to force him at any time to join the group after the untimely knee injury suffered by the Turkish in the first training in the U.S.A.

Real Madrid coach has personally overseen the day-to-day recovery. He has consulted doctors, physical therapists and the player himself to see first hand how would evolve Sahin. Mourinho wanted to care of him, knowing that his contribution to the team will be critical. Even Zinedine Zidane, first team football manager and confidant of Mourinho, has become the great defender and a kind of Sahin's elder brother in the dressing room. During these early months, Zizou is helping in the adaptation of the Turkish player in Madrid.

With Nuri Sahin about to join the group and Neymar dressed in white from January (except monumental surprise) Mourinho will have available to a template that, as he himself acknowledges, is short "by choice", but also the best he has coached throughout his career. A template prepared to win it all.